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Satan before the Throne of God

William Blake, Satan before the Throne of God (detail), 1805–1810. Pen and black ink, gray wash, and watercolor, over traces of graphite, The Morgan Library and Museum, New York.

William Blake (1757–1827) was a creative tour de force excelling in both the literary and visual arts. He was an engraver, poet, painter, and printmaker—and largely unknown during his lifetime. Born in England, he interpreted the political and social themes of his day. This watercolor is one of many that he would later produce as engravings for Illustrations for the Book of Job, considered his greatest visual artistic achievement. God the Father is shown at the top, with the book of the law resting in his lap. Satan is the ideal, youthful leaping figure surrounded by flames in the center. Worked into either side of Satan’s torso are the faces of Job and his wife.

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